Ben Bailey comes flying in for AFC Telford
AFC Telford United signing Ben Bailey is to show his commitment by playing immediately after jetting back from honeymoon.
Bailey arrives back at Manchester Airport tomorrow morning and his new wife will drive him the 69 miles to the North Wales.
It's so he can make his debut in the friendly at Colwyn Bay – and then spend his first night of married life in the UK away from her!
Manager Rob Smith said: "Ben gets back in the morning, but he'll play some part in the game providing there's no delay to his flight.
"He's been away for two weeks but his wife is going to drive him from the airport to Colwyn Bay and drop him off and she'll drive home as we're staying overnight.
"He's shown great commitment to the cause. He's spending his first day of married life in England out with the lads, so it looks like he's going to start as he means to go on!"
The summer signing from Hednesford hasn't been able to join his new team-mates for pre-season training yet as he got married and then has been on holiday for two weeks.
Meanwhile, Smith is set to play all his signed players in North Wales tomorrow, with the exception of right-back James Hurst, who has a groin injury and won't be risked.
The Telford boss said: "The only one not available is James Hurst. There are a couple of concerns over MJ (Michael Monaghan) and Lee Fowler.
"But I'm hoping they will both come through to play some part. MJ has been hampered with a bit of a knee injury so we might not risk him.
"Lee Fowler has been at the back of the running – as he told me he would be – but his game isn't about that, it's about getting on the ball."
Smith plans to play all his available squad and his trialists for half a game each.
He said: "We're taking 20 players up there and we'll play virtually two teams so all the outfield players will get 45 minutes and a couple will get a bit more.
"Monty (James Montgomery) will play all game in goal. This is about getting used to playing football again and getting a feel for things, that's why they're only playing for 45 minutes.
"Then we'll start to increase the game time for each of them. We're looking forward to getting the balls out and putting that Telford shirt on."
Telford's players will be wearing their new Sondico away kit, which will be available to order online over the weekend.
